Florida Hospital Upgrades Security, Ensures Safety of Patients

The hospital recently began phasing in additional security measures, including reducing the number of entry points.

By Sydny Shepard

Dec 19, 2018

A number of high profile incidents at hospitals around the country has put medical facilities on high alert in recent months. For Flagler Hospital in St. Augustine, Florida, increasing security was a matter of ensuring patient safety.

"That's why Flagler Hospital leaders have spent the past nine months working to enhance the overall security of our campus, while continuing to provide a welcoming environment for patients and their loved ones," Flagler Hospital President and CEO Jason Barrett said in an email to a local news station. "We are working diligently to achieve balance between convenience and safety. We are committed to creating the safest, most prepared and responsive environment we can, with the hope that the need for it will never arise."

The hospital has made several changes, the most obvious being the main entrance, where a security officer screens each and every person that enters and asks for a government-issued ID. A background search is conducted digitally before a visitor is issued a badge with their photo and place of destination printed on it.

On average, Flagler Hospital issues about 400 badges a day. If a background check presents any red flags, such as previous arrests or an outstanding warrant, law enforcement is called in. In some cases, the individual will still be allowed to visit, but with an officer by their side.

In addition to the new visitor management system, the hospital is continuously upgrading their surveillance systems and adding new security cameras while evolving hospital policies to ensure better safety and security.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.